A 21-year-old chess player, Gisela Vea, is the first from Tonga to represent Tonga at an international chess competition. The competition is being held in Melbourne, Australia from 24-29 January.

The 2025 Oceania Chess Confederation Zonal chess championship, is a qualifier competition where players will be elected through the process to participate in the FIDE Chess World Cup later this year.

TCF President, Dean Bishoprick said that Gisela qualified for the competition because she has played in the Australia Nationals.

Gisela is one of over 100 youth participants in the competition and also representing the Tonga Chess Federation (TCF), which was established last year.

She will compete in nine rounds of competitive chess at the championship against other participants from Oceania countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Guam, Palau, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, and Nauru.

Gisela is the daughter of Tevita Haupeahiki Vea and Herriot Fifita (Kaho) Vea, who are now living in Canberra, Australia.

Tonga Chess Federation

The Tonga Chess Federation was formed last year and is now a full member of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

TCF has introduced chess to eight primary schools in Tongatapu over the past year, by supplying chess boards, clocks, and an international trainer to get them started. The schools include six government primary schools plus ACTS and Ocean of Light.

Dean siad their plans for 2025 include the introduction of chess to secondary schools and the formation of a chess club, open to all with regular meetings to include friendly chess competition among members.

The TCF Executive Director, Bill Sanft represented Tonga at the international chess federation’s annual meeting in Budapest, Hungary on September 2024.